The key characteristics of the Bedfordshire Greensand Ridge are:

90. Bedfordshire Greensand Ridge

The key characteristics of the Bedfordshire Greensand Ridge are:

• Narrow escarpment formed of Lower Greensand, with distinct scarp slope to north-west and dip slope to south-east.

• Mixed land use on north-west facing scarp slope, including a high proportion of woods (both deciduous and coniferous), heath and pasture. Medium-sized arable and wooded landscape on dip slope.

• Panoramic views to north across claylands.

• Number of historic parklands and estates, including Woburn, Haynes, Shuttleworth, Sandy Lodge and Southill give the impression of a well-tended landscape.

• Settlement pattern includes estate villages and hamlets in folds of ridge. Local materials include ironstone, brick, thatch and render.

• Integrity of area breached by river Ivel valley.

• Existing and redundant sand quarries especially around Leighton Buzzard.

For further details on this character area and for an introduction to the region, please see the PDF documents in the box at the top right hand side of this page.